April 4, 2002
Colon Cancer Research Funded by Rangos Foundation Unveiled at Johns Hopkins
GREENSBURG, Pa. – Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center today announced the findings
of a four-year study on the use of anti-inflammatory drug sulindac to prevent the growth
of cancerous polyps in the human colon. The extensive research was funded in part by the John G. Rangos Sr.
Charitable Foundation.
The results of the study, described in the April 4, 2002 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, indicate
that sulindac is not an effective treatment for young patients with a hereditary form of colon cancer, called familial
adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The drug has been seen to reduce polyps in older, symptomatic colon cancer patients. However,
the researchers found no statistical evidence that would suggest sulindac was effective in treating FAP or Gardner syndrome
patients. "In medicine, learning what doesn't work is just as important as learning what does work," said Frank Giardiello,
M.D., Johns Hopkins' division director of gastroenterology / hepatology, professor of medicine and oncology, and director
of the study.
According to John G. Rangos, Sr., "I'm very proud of the work this team has done. This is important research that will prove
critical in helping us understand and cure this tragic disease." Rangos has provided financial support for colon cancer research
for the past 15 years. Most recently, the Rangos foundation provided a $2 million grant for the John G. Rangos Sr. Professorship
of Adult Medicine at Johns Hopkins. Rangos also said that this study represents significant progress in seeking to advance treatments
of colon cancer. "The more we understand about its treatment, the more we can also learn about cure and prevention."
The John G. Rangos Sr. Family Charitable Foundation is dedicated to providing children with a springboard to knowledge through
education and good health, so that they may build a blue print for life. The Foundation supports numerous health care and educational
efforts. The most significant of these include The Carnegie Science Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University
and International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).
